Should pastor work in the secular world?

If a clergyman is going to be effective, he/she HAS to be part of the secular world, in order to connect with his flock.

I don't understand why anyone would think that a pastor should not also work in the secular world. My son in law is a pastor of a small church and he also works for my husband and me. I suppose that would be the secular world.

Many pastors, like teachers, need a second job to support a family.

I like this supposition that a pastor wouldn't know what's happening in the "secular world" unless he worked in it. Meanwhile, EVERYONE here on Askville thinks he or she is some expert while not working in that area at all. We really do represent humanity fairly well.To your question, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (1 Thessalonians 4:11) and "I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service" (2 Corinthians 11:8) say that the pastor working at another employment WHILE writing sermons and counseling the flock is doing so as a missionary.

Conversely, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward" (1 Timothy 5:17-18) and "Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

Say I these things as a man? Or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.

Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) say that the regular pastor should be supported by those he teaches.

Thus, once again, context is all.

My Father was a pastor of four different churches in my lifetime, he organized three of them, The most he was EVER paid bu the church was 100.00 per week. In the early days it was $25.00 a week. Fortunate he was a Master Barber and also taught at Barber College.(when haircuts were 50 Cents each.) Had he not worked we (the children) would have had t stay at Buckners orphans home until they could have afforded to have us back home.

Everyone, should hold however many jobs it takes to have a room and food for you and your family until you find a place when you can slow down for a while. We are fast approaching that place in this world again, we really need to open our eyes and see what is happening to us and around us..

There is nothing wrong with the secular world! Not everyone is religious. Any religious person from any religion should know about the world outside thier 'box.' Jexebellion 2 days ago.

Well, the ideal would be that the pastor not NEED to be on two payrolls, so he could be available to the church full-time. However, may smaller churches cannot afford a full-time pastor.

A pastor already has a job, it is the commerical business called..."The Church"! .

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.